The allure of golf eludes some, is barely contemplated by others but is emphatically, fanatically and minutely understood by many a club swinging enthusiast. Over the years I have participated in conversations with colleagues and students about golf. Scores and handicaps, nine irons and pitching wedges, not to mention explanations about how to play a four ball Ambrose. All have been greeted with an expression of "I’m interested, but…I have no idea". As a person who realises that the gift of eye-hand coordination is most certainly not gifted to me, the intricacies of golf and its allure are lost in translation.
Notwithstanding this, there are some facts about this incomprehensibly bewitching and frustrating game, that do break through. Take for instance, José María Olazábal, a professional golfer from the Basque independent region of Spain. Those who know, will know what this next part means. He was a Ryder Cup captain, had 23 career titles in the European tour, six PGA titles and was in the world’s top 10 golfers for 300 weeks between 1989 and 1995.
A formidable record, but here’s what plays with your sense of reality. In 1999 Olazábal successfully completed a putt that travelled 14.77 kilometres and holed into a paper cup. There will be many who sceptically question this and rightly so. Getting into a car and driving nearly fifteen kilometres can be tough enough (particularly in morning traffic). Picking up a one wood — apparently the name of a large golf club used for hitting the ball lengthy distances — and driving a golf ball fifteen kilometres most likely requires third party transportation, so completing a putt this long would seem to be in the realms of the purest fantasy.
Hyperbole? Perhaps an impressive tall tale? Actually, it’s true. José María Olazábal actually did manage to perform this feat using circumstance to enhance his chance of success. Conditions were redefined to enable a desired outcome. In 1999, while travelling from Europe to the United States, he hit a golf ball down the centre aisle of a Concorde. Impressively, in its day, this incredible airliner could complete a seven-hour flight from London to New York in three and a half hours.
At an altitude of 60,000 feet (about 18 kilometres for the metrically minded), at close to twice the speed of sound (2043 km per hour), a round dimpled ball travelled the length of a Concorde passenger aisle into a cup. Hole in one! The ball rolled for a total of 26.617 seconds and in that time was carried 14.77 kilometres across the ground by a moving supersonic high-altitude putting green. The restriction of performing a golf stroke inside a narrow, limited aircraft cabin became a benefit when the circumstances were viewed with a different lens.
After eight days of recent lockdown we too find ourselves facing some restrictions. The Delta variant of COVID has shown itself to be particularly efficient in spreading between young people and the use of masks in preventing widespread infection has been proven to be effective.
The return to face to face teaching here at the College has been welcomed by all in the Eddies Team. The transition to and back from online learning has been relatively problem free, with most students engaging well in learning last week. Here at the top of Mary Street the conditions of every day have been redefined. In keeping with health requirements, at Eddies, as in the rest of South East Queensland, there are masks - masks with patterns, masks with cartoon characters, masks with sporting logos, black masks, camouflage masks and of course Eddies masks. In this, we use circumstance to enhance our chance of success. Our goal is to continue be a place of learning and community, while sustaining the health and wellbeing of our young men.
As I walk through the grounds, there are the expected exchanges; reminders - "sorry sir, it’s in my pocket" and challenges - "it still works if my nose is hanging out sir" and even loopholes - "but sir, I’m drinking". But there is also understanding and support.
I am proud of the way our Team has taken on this responsibility. It is unquestionable that the restrictions we face, alter the daily life with which we are familiar. Recognising people, reading facial expressions and just hearing conversations has all changed. It’s not easy teaching and interacting from behind a mask, yet teaching occurs. It’s not easy listening and learning from behind a mask, yet learning occurs.
Masks are not fun, but redefining the restriction reveals a benefit. Hopefully one day soon, we can fold our masks and put them away. Until then, we redefine our circumstances and view restrictions through a different lens. The desired outcome? To support our young people so that we and they are safe, and so that, despite the circumstances and restrictions, they can continue to have the best chance for a positive future, where they can make a difference.
